We support the inclusion of the Building Regulations optional standard for water efficiency in policy DM6 of the plan. However, targeting a more efficient standard makes sense at design stage in order to ensure that actual use remains efficient throughout the lifetime of the development. We therefore suggest the following changes for your consideration, explaining our reasoning below:
Requested DM6 changes:
All new dwellings must be designed to achieve the Optional Technical Housing Standard for water efficiency described in Building Regulation G2. Design must also consider potential for future tightening of this standard by targeting use at no more than 100 litres per person per day.
Further explanation and justification:
We support the inclusion of the Building Regulations optional standard for water efficiency in this policy. However, although current Building Regulations indicate this is appropriate to the ‘serious water stress’1 status of the South East, the Government plans to tighten2 this Building Regulations standard. High standards of water efficiency in new developments also equate to greater long-term sustainability, future-proofing our communities to the impacts of climate change. We would therefore ideally like to see tighter water efficiency targets in the design of new homes. This is in line with Southern Water’s ‘Save a Little Water’ programme to consume no more than 100 litres per person per day across our region.
1 Water_stressed_areas___final_classification_2021.odt (live.com)
2 https://database.waterwise.org.uk/knowledge-base/building-regulations-water-efficiency-review/
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ambitious-roadmap-for-a-cleaner-greener-country
The South East region incorporates many environmentally sensitive areas and is classified as an area of ‘serious water stress’. Significant challenges and environmental improvements need to be addressed, while at the same time enabling some of the highest rates of growth in the country. This together with the increasing impacts of climate change expected over time mean we need to significantly reduce our water use.
Tackling water scarcity requires a multi-faceted approach and there is an opportunity for the planning system to play a part by ensuring policy requires new development meet the highest standards of water efficiency possible at the time.